Convertible swimsuit cover-up

ABSTRACT

Embodiments disclosed herein provide cover-up garments that can be used to convert swimsuits into additional apparel forms without having to change out of a swimsuit. An elastic band, with or without closures, allows the cover-up garment to be put on easily over a swimsuit. Different materials and cuts of materials attached to the bottom and/or top of the elastic band allow the cover-up garment to transform the bathing suit into a wide range of additional apparel types suitable for wearing at other locations outside of a beach or pool setting. The cover-up garment when used in combination with the swimsuit, such as, the top of a swimsuit creates a new garment style.

RELATED APPLICATIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/308,312, filed on Mar. 15, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to swimwear, and more particularly to cover-up apparel for converting swimwear into different apparel combinations suitable for use outside of a beach or pool context.

BACKGROUND

There are many instances where it is desirable to be able to transition from the beach or pool to another setting and potentially back again without having to change into and out of swimwear. However, existing cover-ups and other garments have limited functionality for this purpose and do not incorporate elements of the underlying swimsuit to create a new apparel arrangement. Therefore, what are needed are new materials and mechanisms for converting existing swimwear into different apparel arrangements that can facilitate this transition from beach or pool-side with minimal effort and without the need to change out of a swimsuit.

SUMMARY

In certain example embodiments, a swimsuit cover-up garment comprises a band portion and a gathered fabric portion attached to the band portion. The band portion allows the gathered fabric portion and/or other elements to be securely fitted over the swimsuit and create, in combination with a top portion of the swimsuit, new apparel arrangements. The cover-up garment may further comprise arm straps and/or sleeves. A front and back portion between the arm straps and/or sleeves is left open in the cover-up garment.

In certain example embodiments, a swimsuit ensemble comprises a swimsuit and the cover-up garment. The swimsuit may be a one-piece or two-piece swimsuit.

These and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the example embodiments will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrated example embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a drawing of a swimsuit cover-up garment in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a drawing of alternate configuration of a swimsuit cover-up garment in accordance with example embodiments.

FIG. 1C is a drawing of alternate configuration of a swimsuit cover-up garment in accordance with example embodiments.

FIG. 1D is a drawing of alternate configuration of a swimsuit cover-up garment in accordance with example embodiments.

FIG. 1E is a drawing of alternate configuration of a swimsuit cover-up garment in accordance with example embodiments.

FIG. 1F is a drawing of alternate configuration of a swimsuit cover-up garment in accordance with example embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of a swimsuit and cover-up garment combination in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of an alternate swimsuit and cover-up garment combination in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of an alternate swimsuit and cover-up garment combination in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a drawing of an alternate swimsuit and cover-up garment combination in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a drawing of an alternate swimsuit and cover-up garment combination in accordance with certain example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS Overview

Embodiments disclosed herein provide cover-up garments that can be used to convert swimsuits into additional apparel forms without having to change out of a swimsuit. An elastic band, with or without closures, allows the cover-up garment to be put on easily over a swimsuit. Different materials and cuts of materials attached to the bottom and/or top of the elastic band allow the cover-up garment to transform the bathing suit into a wide range of additional apparel types suitable for wearing at other locations outside of a beach or pool setting. The cover-up garment when used in combination with the swimsuit, such as, the top of a swimsuit creates a new garment style. For example, the swimsuit may be transformed into a tank top and skirt combination, a tank top and short combination, a tank top and dress combination, a tank top and pant combination, a sleeved top and short combination, a sleeved top and skirt combination, a sleeved top and dress combination, or a sleeved top and pant combination. The elastic band portion provides the ability to convert the swimsuit to any of the above apparel arrangements by providing an mechanism that allows the cover-up garment to be easily and securely worn over the underlying bathing suit and by providing a base to which the other cover-up garment elements necessary to create the above apparel arrangements can be attached.

Turning now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like (but not necessarily identical) elements throughout the figures, example embodiments are described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting a cover-up garment, in accordance with certain example embodiments. The cover-up comprises a band portion 105 and a gathered fabric portion 110 that is attached to the band portion 105. The band portion 105 may comprise an elastic band. The elastic may be a woven or knitted elastic. In certain example embodiments, it is a monofilament material. In another example embodiment, the elastic material may comprise more than one material, for example, a cotton and a chemical fiber. Materials used in the making of elastic bands are know in the art and include rubber, latex, spandex, polyester and other flexible materials. The elastic may be a waistband elastic, a no-roll or non-roll elastic, skirt waistband elastic, a drawstring elastic, stretchband elastic, or other suitable material. In certain example embodiments, the band portion may further incorporate rubberized non-stick elements, such as dots, to prevent the band portion from slipping on the skin.

The band portion 105 may range from 0.5 inches to 10 inches in width. In certain example embodiments, the elastic band is 0.5 inch to 5 inches, 0.5 inch to 4 inches, 0.5 inch to 3 inches, 0.5 inch to 2 inches or 0.5 inch to 1 inch in width. In certain other example embodiments, the band may range from 1 in to 8 in, 1 inch to 7 inches, 1 inch to 6 inches, 1 inch to 5 inches, 1 inch to 4 inches, 1 inch to 3 inches, or 1 inch to 2 inches in width. In another example embodiment, the band portion 105 may range from 5 inches to 10 inches, from 5 inches to 9 inches, from 5 inches to 8 inches, from 5 inches to 7 inches, or from 5 inches to 6 inches in width.

The band portion 105 may be cut to varying lengths to achieve different sized waistbands. In certain example embodiments, the band portion is constructed so that the band portion alone is sufficient for the cover-up garment to be securely worn. Accordingly, the band portion 105 may comprise a single solid piece of elastic material without a closure. In other example embodiments, the band portion may further comprise one or more closures. In certain example embodiments, the closures may only be decorative. The one or more closures may comprise a zipper, with or without a clasp, bra hook, button, drawstring, toggle drawstring, front clasp, Velcro, eye-hook closure, or similar material to close two or more pieces of fabric together. The one or more closures may close on the front, sides, back, or combination thereof. In one example embodiment, the closure is on the front. In another example embodiment, the closure is on the back. In another example embodiment, the enclosure is on one side. In another example embodiment, the closure is on both sides.

The gathered fabric portion 110 is attached, for example by sewing, at a top portion of the gathered fabric portion 110 to a bottom portion of the elastic band portion 105. The gathered fabric portion 110 may comprise a dry wicking material, a light-weight micro fiber (e.g. board short material), spandex, lycra, a jersey knit material, a rubber-infused fabric, or a combination thereof. In one example embodiment, the gathered fabric portion 110 comprises dry wicking materials, tri-blend fabrics, light-weight neoprenes, spandex, lycra, and stretch knits. In certain example embodiments, the gathered fabric portion 110 may further comprise one or more pockets.

The length and style of the gathered fabric portion 110 may vary. In certain example embodiments, the gathered fabric portion 110 is cut in the length and style of a mini skirt or a knee-length skirt. See FIG. 1A. In another example embodiment, the gathered fabric portion 110 is cut in a length and style of a short. See FIG. 1B. The short may be in any style of short, such as the butterfly short shown in FIG. 1B. In another example embodiment, the gathered fabric portion 110 is cut in the length and style of a pant. See FIG. 1C. In yet another example embodiment, the gathered fabric portion 110 is cut in a length and style of a full-length dress. See FIG. 1D.

In certain example embodiments, the cover-up garment may further comprise a first arm strap 115 a attached to a front and back top portion of one side of the elastic band portion 105, and a second arm strap 115 b attached to a front and back top portion of the opposite side of the elastic band portion 105. The front and back areas 120 defined between the arm straps 115 are left open. Thus, when the cover-up garment is worn with a swimsuit the upper portion or upper piece of a swimsuit (not pictured) completes the top portion of the garment.

In certain example embodiments, the cover-up garment may further comprise a back strap 125 connected on a back side of the two arm straps 115. The back strap may be between 6 inches and 12 inches. The back strap 125 may be positioned along the top of the back portion, the middle of the back portion, or the bottom of the back portion. In certain example embodiments, the back strap 125 is positioned horizontally along the top of the back portion. In another example embodiment, the back strap may be connected diagonally between the two arm straps 115.

In certain example embodiments, the cover-up garment may further comprise sleeves 130 in place of or attached to the arm straps 115. In certain example embodiments, the sleeves are cap sleeves, short sleeve, three-quarter sleeve, or long sleeves.

In another aspect, the present application provides swimsuit and cover-up ensembles comprising a swimsuit and any of the cover-up garments disclosed herein. The swimsuit may be a one-piece or two-piece swimsuit of any cut, where the cover-up garment is configured to complement the top portion or top part of the swimsuit to create a new apparel arrangement as described above. Example swimsuit and cover-up ensembles are show in FIGS. 2-6. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A swimsuit cover-up garment comprising: a band portion; and a gathered fabric portion attached to the band portion.
 2. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a first arm strap and a second arm strap, the first and second arm straps attached at a front top portion and a back top portion of the band and defining an open front and back panel area between the first and second arm straps.
 3. The garment of claim 2, further comprising sleeves.
 4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the sleeves are short sleeves, long sleeves, three quarter sleeves, or cap sleeves.
 5. The garment of claim 2, further comprising a back strap between the first strap and the second arm strap.
 6. The garment of claim 5, further comprising sleeves.
 7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the sleeves are short sleeves, long sleeves, three quarter sleeves, or cap sleeves.
 8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the gathered fabric portion comprises a dry wicking material, a light-weight micro fiber material, spandex, lycra, a jersey knit material, a non-slip material, or a rubber-infused fabric.
 9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the gathered fabric portion is shaped as a short length, knee-length, or full-length skirt.
 10. The garment of claim 9, wherein the gathered fabric portion is shaped as a butterfly short.
 11. The garment of claim 1, wherein the gathered fabric is shaped as a full-length pant.
 12. The garment of 1, wherein the band portion has a closure, the closure comprising a zipper, a clasp bra hook, button, drawstring, toggle drawstring, front clasp, Velcro, or an eye hook.
 13. The garment of claim 1, wherein the band portion is a wide elastic band or a narrow elastic band.
 14. A swimsuit comprising a top swimsuit portion, a bottom swimsuit portion, and the garment of claim
 1. 